Dartmouth Breaks Fundraising Record

Over $160 million raised, participation rates increase substantially

Dartmouth celebrated its most successful fund-raising year ever with $160.3 million in charitable gifts in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2006. The result was 51 percent greater than in 2005 and more than one-third higher than the previous record of $118 million, set in 2004. Significant growth in participation from College and graduate school alumni and friends and strong support for the goals of the Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience accounted for the totals.

During the year 26,750 alumni, parents, friends, foundations, and corporations made contributions to help fund programs and initiatives that support Dartmouth's most important priorities: admitting talented students regardless of their financial circumstances; providing an intimate learning environment based on close student-faculty interaction and collaboration across disciplines; and advancing facilities projects that sustain a sense of place and community that encourage the full range of talents, interests, and abilities of its members.

Nearly 51 percent of Dartmouth alumni contributed to the Dartmouth College Fund (DCF), the College's annual fund—the highest participation rate since 1998—raising $30.7 million in unrestricted gifts, including a record $1.5 million from the Parents and Grandparents Fund. The DCF also had the highest number of contributors—24,618—since its inception a century ago. In addition, 73 percent of the Class of 2006 contributed to the Senior Class Gift, the highest percentage in history among graduating seniors and 17 percent beyond the previous participation record established by the Class of 2005. Contributions to the DCF account for one out of every ten dollars in the College's annual budget and give the College the resources to act on new initiatives and enhance student services throughout the year. They support academics and need-blind admissions, underwrite athletics, and sustain a variety of programs, from first-year trips to foreign study, that benefit every student.

Annual giving to the three professional schools: Dartmouth Medical School, the Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, was up 5 percent, to $5.9 million. Tuck continues to enjoy an alumni participation rate of 65.1 percent, the highest of any business school in the country.

"We're grateful for the energy, enthusiasm, and generosity of our alumni, parents, and friends," says President James Wright. "Their gifts demonstrate a commitment to Dartmouth's historic mission: to provide the finest educational experience in the country. The participation of alumni is the best news of all."

Giving increased in every area and from all philanthropic sources. Gifts to the College increased by 55 percent; to Dartmouth Medical School by 24 percent; to Thayer School of Engineering by 71 percent; and to Tuck School of Business by 57 percent. Foundation and corporate gifts increased by 57 percent to $26.9 million, deferred gifts grew by 29 percent to $3.5 million, and realized bequests were up 64 percent to $11.6 million.

The Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience has raised $742 million as of July 31. This is 57 percent of the $1.3 billion goal, realized over 54 percent of the campaign time line.

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